A corpora



H. F WOERNLiY.

SEAN GEAR.

nPPucATwN FlLEO 55%],1915.

Patented June 15, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

[n Vendor:

H. F. WQERNLEY.

DEAF? GEAR.

APPLICATIGN FILED SEPT. 7, m5.

1,343,295, Pat/entedJune 15,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inwenar: 7/090 1? Worry/[ y H. F. WOERNLEY.

DRAFT GEAR. APPUCATWN man SEPT. 7. 19a 5.

Patented June 15, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- i a g lul p! nuummmnu UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

nAnnir 1r. wonmrnmr, or PITTSB RGH, rENNsYLvamA, Assrenon. TO THE wnsanrenoiisn am nnAxn comrAnY, orwimannnmc. PENNSYLVANIA, A cannon T101! 01! PENNSYLVANIA.

DRAFT-GEAR.

To'all whom it may can here:

Be it known that I, HARR F. VVoEiiiiLEY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Pittsburgh, county of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented cer 'tain new and useful Im rovements in Draft- Gears, of which the fol owing is a specification, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. 7

The invention relates to the type of draft ears shown in Patent No. 989,949, granted pril 18, 1911, to Cotton and Henderson.

The object of the invention is to generally improve u n draft gears of this type, and particular y to provide, in connection with the maximum of friction'resistance, an in creased freedom of release after compression.

Minor advantages of the invention will appear in connection with a description of the embodiment thereof iliustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan. view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, and showing the device as applied to a railway car; i

' Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the draft plates of a railway car showing the imroved gear in central plan section, the parts eing in normal position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, the gear being under compression and some of the parts which appear in sectionin'Fig. 3 being shown in plan;

Fi 5 and 6 are views in perspective of two onus of friction plates employed in the gear;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the gear;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the central wedging element with its retaining key; and

Fig. 9 is a detail transverse vertical section through the wedging elements.

The draft plates of a rail way car are represented at 10, and as being provided with draft and boiling lugs ll, 12. The butt of the coupler is shown at 13,-its extension or yoke is represented at 1 and as being of the loop type for inclosing the draft gear, its rear end being shown at 15.

' The gear comprises a casing 16, one end of which, 17, may, as shown, constitute a follower for enga ing the draft, lugs I L The opposite end 0 the casing 16 is open, and is faced by a follower plate 18 cooperating Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1920.

Application filed September 7, 1915. Serial No. 49,225.

with the buflin lu s 1-2 and beari the end 15 of tie yi oke. agamst Housed within the casing 16 are a pair of nested springs 19, 20, the outer one 19 bein the stronger. These springs are seated against theclosed end 17 of the casing. A central wedging element 21 is interposed between the inner end of the inner spring 20 and the follower plate 18. A pair of wedglng elements 22, 23, laterally engage the element 21 and bear a inst the a ertured follower plate 24, which is seatc against the nner end of the outer. spring 19, the wedging element 21 playing freely through its aperture. A key 25, set through the wedging element 21, moves within a recess in the easing 16, the function of the key being to hold the parts in assembled position when the gear is not attached to the car. The outer faces of the wedging elements 22, 23, are inclined inwardly toward the follower 24, this inclination being secured in the structure as represented by the contour of the cooperating wedging faces of the several elements.

Located between the wedging elements 22, 23, and the side walls of the casing are'two groups of friction plates, each composed of a plural ty of plates 26, 27, 28, as many bcingemployed as the space available and udgment of the designer may dictate, and a plurality of plates 2!), 30, 31, the members of the two sets being alternated. The plates 26, 27, 28, are anchored to the casing 16 against longitudinal movement, but are free to move laterally. The engagement of these plates with the casing is through the medium of a pair of laterally projecting lugs 33, which enter transverse recesses 34 in the casing walls and are thickened, as shown at 35, to give them comparatively broad hearing fares against the margin of the apertures. The plates 29, 3O, 31, are longer than the plates 26, 27, 28, and float within the casing, being movable 'both laterally and longitudinally.

The plates 21;, 27, 28, are wedge-shaped, their ends adjacent the follower plate 24 being the thicker for the purpose of increasing the wcdging action to augment the friction.

Noi-mallv the parts occupy the osition as shown in l-ig. 3, the follower 1 being in engagement with the butt of the coupler 13 and with the draft lugs 11, the end of the wedg'int element 21. being in engagement with the follower l8 and the latter bearing against the boiling lugs 12 and the yoke end 15. The follower :Z-l is held firmly against the wcdgring elements 22, 235, by the spring 19. The follower 24 is shown as hearing against the ends of the floating plates :59, 30 and 31. the latter, however, not reaching to the follower l8.

l'nder draft stresses the gear is compre sed ultimately to the position shown in Fig. 4, the follower l l being carried forward by the yoke, the \vedging element J1 advancing against the resistance of the spring 2H and tending to spread the wedging elements 215, 23, thereby putting the lrie tion plates under compression against the -ide walls of the easing. The cooperating edging faces of the elements 2i and 3:2. 23. being quite abrupt. the relative longitudinal movement of the three elements is but slight and they are practically advanced together. moving the follower 3i away from the floating plates. These plates are presently en gaged by the follower i8 and are advanced between the anchored friction plates. The three wedging elements .21. 235, may be regarded as a single wedging unit. because of the inclined faces of the outer elements, as may also each of the two egroups of frict i0n plates, and as the gear is compressed heavy lateral pressure is delivered to the friction plates by the combined action of these three wedging units.

Excessive wedging action by the elements 21, 22 and 23 is prevented by reason of the decided pitch of their contacting faces, there being a tendency under severe load for the outer elements in draft and for the inner element, in half to advance relatively to the cooperating element, or ele ents, this tendency being resisted hy the Epring 19. \Vhile the inclination of the two roups of friction plates, with reference to the axisof the gear, is secured by reason of the taper,- ing form of some of these plates, it is ohvious that the action will he the same by whatever means such inclination is secured.

The friction is developed principally between the floating and the anchored plates, there being but slight relative movement of the elements 22, 23, and the adjacent floating plates.

Draft stresses are resisted primarily by the springs and secondarily by the friction between the several plates, and because of the wedge form of the combined wedging elements and of the two groups of friction plates sufficient friction is developed to largely absorb such pressures. even though very excessive, and thus protect the framing having relative longitudinal movement, the

of the car. The gear reaches the limit of its compressive movement when the follower plate 18 comes into engagement with the end of the casing 16.

Upon release due to the cessation of draft the spring :20 moves the wcdging element 2!. lnu'kwardly. and with it the follower plate in and the yoke 14, thus relieving the lateral pressure upon the elements 22, 23. which are thereupon moved ban-luvardly under the iniluence of the spring l5), in turn relieving the lateral pressure upon the friction plates. A violent recoil is, however, prevented because of the prompt action of the spring ll), causing; the elements 22, 23, to follow the element 2i, with the result that the lateral pressure upon the friction plates is reduced gradually.

ith the parts formed as shown the iloatlug friction plates are slightly oblique to the axis of the gear. The pressure upon their ends hy the plate lv' is, therefore, to some extent. lateral. thereby increasing their frictional engagement with the anchored plates.

l'nder the inlluence of butting stresses the casing to is moved inwardly until it engages the follower plate 18. The action of the springs and wcdgrinp and friction elements is substantially the same as in draft, but in reverse direction and order, the anchored plates moving, while the floating plates 1' main stationary a l'ter making contact with the rear follower. lipon release the casing is moved forwardly by the action of the spring; 20. The excessive friction dcveltned between the various friction faces will rst cause all of the parts, except the central wedging element 21, to move forwardly together. The wedge faces of the elements 22. 100 23, sliding slightl on the wedge faces of the element 21. wi I reduce the lateral pressure. but this reduction is. gradual because of the constant pressure of the spring 19.

While the action is quite similar to that 105 of the gear shown in the Cotton and lenderson patent, a greater capacity is obtained and also a more certain release is secured under all circumstances.

Though the casing 16 is described as hav- 11b ing a closed end against which the sprin 5 seat, it is obvious that use. seat for t e springs any shoulder formed on the interior of the casing will serve the same purpose as the end wall. Various changes in details 1 15 plates of one set being wedge-shaped, and wedging means presenting a wedging face to the plates and being longitudinally mov- .ment, the plates I terposcd between the two able with reference to the wedge-shaped )lates.

I 3. In a draft gear, in combination, two groups of alternated friction plates, adjacent plates having relative longitudinal moveof one set in each group being wedge-shaped, and wedging meansingroups and prese'nting wedging faces thereto, the taper of groups of alternated friction such \vedgmg means being the reverse of that of the wedge shaped plates.

4.,In a-draft gear, in combination, two

lates, adj acent plates having relative longxtudinal moverhent, the plates of one set'in each group being wedge-shapemand wedging means in- ;tlerp'osed between the two groups and presenting wedging faces I thereto and being longitudinall movable with reference to the wedge-shape latcs. I

5. In a dra gear, in combination, two groups of alternated friction plates, adjacent ,plfates having relative longitudinal move- 3 input, the being wed fte'r'posed between the two plates of one set of each group e-shaped, and wedging means in-.

groups and presenting wedgi ng faces thereto, such wedging dredging means in opposite directions.

- ing wedge-shaped, and wedging means inter .posed between the two means comprising a pair of outer members a central member having wedgmg engagement therewith, and means for moving 6. 111 :1 draft gear, in combination, two groups of alternated friction plates, adjacent plates having relative longitudinal move: ment, the plates of one set of each group be groups and presenting wedging faces thereto, such wed ing means comprising a pair of outer mem ers and a. central member having Wedging engagement therewith, and being longitudinally movable with reference to the wedgeshaped plates.

7. In a draft gear, in combination, two groups of alternated friction plates, adjacent plates having relative longitudinal movement, theplates of one set of each group being wedge-shaped, wedging means interposed between the two groups and presenting wedging faces thereto, such Wed ing means comprising a pairof outer mom ers anda central member having'wedging engagement therewith, and a pair of springs acting, respectivel on the outer and on the inner wedge mem .rs and urging them longitudinally in the same direction.

8. In a draft gear, in combination, two groups of alternated friction plates, adjacent plates having relative longitudinal movement, the plates of one set of each group be ing wedge-shaped, wedging means interposed between t e two groups and presenting wedging faces thereto, such wedging means comprising a pair of outer members and a central member having wedging engagement therewith, and being longitudinally movable with reference to the wedge-shaped plates, and a pair of springs acting, res naetively, on the outer and on the inner wedge members and urging them longitudinally in the same direction. p

9. In a draft gear, in combination, a cas ing havin a springseat at one end and being open at t 1e opposite end, a pair of springs reacting against the seat, cooperating wedging elements acted upon, respectively, by the two springs, groups of friction plates interposed between the wcdging elements and the walls of the casing, alternate plates of each group being anchored against longitudinal movement relative to the casing and the remaining plates being longer than the an chored plates and having longitudinalmovement with reference to the casing, alternate plates of each group being \vcdgeshaped,

the wedging'elcihents having wedging engagement with the friction plates, a follower interposed between one of the springs and the longitudinally movable. friction plates.

and a follower engaging one of the wedging plates of each group beir'ug anchored against longitudi al movement relative to the casing and the remaining plates being longer than the anchoi'ed illtltEF-i and having loiigitlul ual movement with reference to the casing. the anchored plates being wedge-shaped, the wedging elements havin wedging engage-- ment with the friction p ates. a Follower in terposed between one of the springs and the longitudinally movable friction plates, and a follower engaging one of the wedging elements and englageable with the movable friction plates.

11. In a draft gear, in coml; inatirm, a group of jntercalated relatively movable flat friction plates. alternate plates being wedgeshaped, all of the plates being intersected by a single plane including the axis of the draft gear. 7

12. In a draft gear, in combination. two groups of intercalated relatively movable tint friction plates, alternate plates of each group being wedge-shaped, and a reversely directed wedge structure interposed between the two groups, all of the plates being interseated by a single plane including the axis of the draft gear.

13.- In a draft gear, in combination. two groups of intercalated relatively movable fiat friction plates, alternate plates of each roup bei wedge-shaped, and .a reversely directed we ge structure interposed between the two roups, such structure comprising a pair of s o es and an intermediate spreading element, all of the plates being intersecte by a single plane including the axis of the draft ear. I

14. n a draft gear, in combination, two groups of intercalated relatively movable fiat friction plates, alternate plates of each group being wedge-shaped, a reversely directed wedge structure interposed between the two groups, such structure comprising a air of shoes and an intermediate spreadinge emen and means for difi'erentially moving the shoes and spreading element.

15. A draft gear, comprising in combination, a casing having parallel sides, two groups of friction plates within the casing and each bearing against the sides thereof, alternate plates of each group being relatively fixed and m bvable, and one set thereof being wedge shaped, a wedging unit interposed between the two groups and comprising a central member and two side members having wedging engagement therewith, the cooperating wedging faces of the members of the unit being more abrupt than the wedging faces of the members of the groups of plates, and followers bearing respectively upon one end of the central member of the unit, and upon the opposite ends of the side members thereof.

,16. A draft gear, comprising in combination, a casing having parallel sides, two groups of. friction plates within the casin and each bearing against the side thereo alternate lates of each group being relatively fixe and movable, and one set thereof bemg wedge shaped, an expansible wedgm unit interposed between the two roups an comprising a central'andtwo si e members in wedging engagement, and followers bearing longitudinal y upon the unit and engaging res ectively one end of the central mem- Eeran the opposite ends of the side memers.

17. A casin having side walls, a pair of plates longitu inall movable within the casing and the outer ace of each having frictional engagement with an element longitudinally anchored to the casin the ad acent faces of the plates being ob iique to bile axis oi" the casing and oppositely inclined, a pair of plates each bearing against the inner face of one of the first named plates, and having inner faces inciined oppositely at a greater angle to the axis of the casing than the inclination of the inner faces of the first named plates, and a complementary wedging element on the axis of the casing.

HARRY F. wotinNLEY. 

